Improved Technique Developed for Creating Cellulosic Biofuels

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim, Germany, are developing a technique to develop biofuels from cellulose in wood, grass and plants. This new process of converting cellulose into sugars that can be used to create biofuels, such as ethanol, uses significantly less energy than current methods. And because the process can break down very strong cellulose bonds, non-food plant material can be used, reducing competition for food crops.

Cellulosic biofuels have been promoted as promising, but ultimately too energy-intensive to be viable. By replacing high-temperature and high-pressure processes, however, the new method could increase the efficiency of the conversion and improve the economics involved. That is still some time off, however, as the solvents used in the process are too expensive to be used in a commercial-scale application. But further development of the process could lead to a welcome alternative to the use of food crops for creating biofuel. >>Read full article.